Yogaland Podcast

In this age of insta-celebrity and everyone chasing their 15 minutes of fame, it's refreshing to talk to a long-term, successful yoga teacher. Deborah Burkman is one of these people. She's been teaching for 17 years, in many settings, and loves her job. She's not famous and, at this point in her life and career, she's grateful for that. Her message to all of us: Find your purpose and come back to that. And know that who you are is enough.Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode41/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexandria Crow grew up in a fundamentalist Christian family and her grandfather was a traveling preacher. These days she travels the country teaching yoga -- and it recently dawned on her that there are parallels between the two. Because of this, she's careful about not cultivating a guru persona -- her hope is to teach her students to use the tools that she presents to investigate on their own and think for themselves. We talk about this idea of being "transparent" as a teacher, the role of charisma in teaching yoga, and the vulnerable place that students can unconsciously find themselves in if they have a teacher who isn't clear about their role and their boundaries.Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode40/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Rosen is a yoga scholar and teacher who has authored five yoga books that are well worth reading. I talked to him about his most recent, "Yoga FAQ, Almost Everything You Need to Know about Yoga -- from Asanas to Yamas." This book is rich with tons of historical info and yet, Richard is refreshingly honest about how traditions change and evolve. We focus mostly on his Patanjali's Yoga Sutra -- who was Patanjali? Who was Vyasa? And why is this text a seminal part of modern Western yoga? Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode39/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I talk to Nikki Estrada about the first two ethical guidelines in the Yoga Sutra: ahimsa (nonharming) and satya (truth). Nikki has more than 20 years teaching experience and has been leading 200 and 300-hour teaching trainings for more than 12 years. She was Director of Trainer Development for YogaWorks for more than 7 years where she supported and mentored teacher trainers. She leads intensives, immersions and workshop series in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. She contributes to Yoga International where you can find her articles and videos. Nikki is an Athleta Ambassador for embodying the Power of She, is sponsored by Zobha, has presented at Yoga Journal conferences and was voted best yoga teacher by Marin Magazine 2016.You can find shownotes for this episode at: yogalandpodcast.com/episode38/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason takes on questions that surround yoga teaching this week including:- To use Sanskrit while teaching or not?- How to care for yourself during an injury?- How do you help individuals find their unique pose in the midst of a group class?You can find shownotes for this episode, with lots of blog posts from Jason about teaching at yogalandpodcast.com/episode38/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Q&As with Jason are back! On this episode we talk about hopping back to Plank Pose, what happens when your wrists won't cooperate in arm balances, and tips for Triangle Pose. The BIG TAKEAWAY is this: Not all poses work for all bodies. Take that in. Let it bum you out. Then listen to the episode and let that truth set you free. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode36/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, I talk to Kelsey Crowe, the co-author of the book, "There is No Good Card for This: What to Say and Do When Life is Scary, Awful, and Unfair to People You Love." The book is funny, it's written without judgment, and it's filled with helpful and achievable ideas to help us connect to and support each other when life gets tough. It's also designed by the fabulous Emily McDowell.Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode35/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I bet you can conjure it up pretty easily: The image of the calm, benevolent yoga teacher who NEVER GETS ANGRY. You might wish that you were that person. And perhaps such people exist. But the rest of us mere mortals get pissed sometimes. And sometimes getting pissed is OK and warranted. The question is, how do you take your anger and channel in ways that are positive? And how do you learn and grow from your anger? What's beneath the subtext and how do you cope? I'm happy to have Sally Kempton back on this episode to answer all of my burning, raging rage questions. This is one of my favorite episodes to date! I'd love to know if you found it helpful.Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode34/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bex Urban joins me on this episode to share her many years of navigating the challenges of putting together a successful retreat. We talk risks, rewards, coping with busted septic tanks, and more. My hope is that this episode will inspire retreat newbies -- both students and teachers.Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode33/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Among her other great qualities, I like to think of Stephanie Snyder as the queen of the playlist. On this ep, she offers her intention behind including music in class, her thoughts on the tradition of sound in yoga, plus mistakes she's made over the years. BONUS: One of Steph's favorite bands, Young Moon, create the soundtrack for this episode. For more shownotes go to: yogalandpodcast.com/episode32/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bo Forbes spent years as a practicing psychologist and is now a yoga teacher with a keen interest in neuropsychology. On this episode we talk about how to cope with empathic distress as well as the different between the brain's default mode vs. direct experience mode. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode31/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I live in a state of duality when it comes to New Year's resolutions. On the one hand, I loathe them. I loathe the intense focus on self-improvement and self-achievement that's emblazoned across magazine covers in the month of January. And yet, I love the idea of taking a moment to pause and reflect on the previous year and to think about how I'd like to live in the coming year,This episode focuses on three resolutions that really get to the heart of what has created happiness in my life: self awareness, self-acceptance, and being more loving (in big ways and small) toward others. Hope you enjoy it and I'd love to hear what you're focusing on this year. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode30/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello Yogaland! On this episode, we reflect on 2016 and the ways that we've grown. We talk highlights and challenges and reveal our top secret (sort of) plans for 2017!Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode29/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, I reflect on one of the most important reads of the year for me -- Kelly McGonigal's book, The Upside of Stress. A psychologist and yoga teacher, Kelly's book is filled with compelling research about how the way we think about stress may be more harmful for our health than stress itselfShownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode28/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before jetting off on his most recent trip to Hong Kong, I sat with Jason to answer more listener-submitted questions. This time we just happened to get questions that all centered around the lower body. So, we talk about:* How to best work with tight hamstrings?* How to best recover when your hamstring has been overstretched?* How to find stability and strengthen the low back, quadratus lomborum (QL), and sacrum after pregnancy? * What's up with hearing about yogis having hip replacements? How can you keep your hips safe in yoga?Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode27/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I chat with Kate Holcombe of The Healing Yoga Foundation in San Francisco. Kate has an amazing story to tell -- and I asked her to tell it in the top half of the interview -- about how a life-threatening accident while studying abroad in India during college set her on the path of becoming a student of TKV Desikachar. The second half of the interview focuses on a few of the sutras that helped Kate navigate the difficulty of going through breast cancer treatment. I've never known a teacher who has as much reverence for Patanjali's Yoga Sutra as Kate does. She lights up when she talks about them and her enthusiasm is contagious. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode26/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, Jason answers questions submitted by listeners:* What are your views on what it means to be a yoga student today?* What's the difference between a yoga student and a yoga consumer?* How do you deal with the yoga community where there is so much inconsistency and fakeness?* What do you think will be important for yoga teachers to focus on in the next decade?* What do you think about yoga hybrids like Yoga HIIT, Pi-Yo, etc.?* How do you and Andrea work together and find a balance between work and family time?Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode25/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode is like a shot of happy for your soul. I spoke to Dana Trixie Flynn, co-founder of Laughing Lotus about her new project: Dana is working on opening a donation-based yoga studio in the seventh ward of New Orleans. If you know Dana at all, you know how much she lives, breathes, and loves music -- so this new center will have live New Orleans jazz music. In this interview with Dana, I felt how uniquely suited she is to set up this studio and to nurture her students. She is all at once gutsy, big-hearted, charismatic, empathic, and bad ass. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode24/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode Jason answers three of our listener questions and it just so happens that they all focus on some aspect of shoulder anatomy. We also talk about cats a lot. Here are the questions:* Why do we flex the ankle in poses like Reclined Pigeon?* Is "pull the shoulder blades down" a "bad" alignment cue?* In Plank Pose, do you push strongly through the arms and upper back? Or soften the shoulders?For practice inspiration, go to the shownotes page for links to shoulder-focused blog posts with illustrations: yogalandpodcast.com/episode23/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You might know Rachel Brathen as "Yoga Girl" on Instagram -- she's one of the original yoga insta-stars and has 2 million followers. Two million! That's crazay! And yet, despite this quick rise to fame, Rachel is incredibly down-to-earth and not afraid to say that the superficial side of social media can suck the life out of a person from time to time. I wanted to know what makes Rachel tick, so I tried to dig into how she's become the teacher (and student) she is today.Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode22/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode Holly Whitaker of the Home Podcast talk about how yoga and meditation can be helpful tools for recovery.Holly is a life coach and spiritual teacher, kundalini and vinyasa yoga and meditation instructor, writer, and speaker. She's also the founder of Hip Sobriety, which aims to provide a modern, holistic, accessible and desirable path to sobriety, and to remove the stigma associated with addiction (and sobriety).Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode21/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seane Corn is an internationally celebrated yoga teacher known for her impassioned activism and inspirational style of teaching. She utilizes her national platform to bring awareness to humanitarian issues—in 2005, she was named “National Yoga Ambassador” for YouthAIDS, and in 2013 was given the Global Green International Environmental Leadership Award. Since 2007, she has been training leaders of activism through her co-founded organization Off the Mat, Into the World®.I talked to Seane about how she came to be an activist and how she mentors others to do the same. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode20/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week my guest is holistic therapist and senior Prana Vinyasa Flow teacher Coral Brown. Coral and I talked about one of her passions -- the Hindu deity stories. She's deeply knowledgeable about them and she's also down-to-earth and practical in her approach, which I appreciate. She also (when appropriate) weaves them into her one-on-one therapy practice, which I find fascinating. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode19/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've gotten many questions recently about teacher training that we decided to do an episode that answers common questions. Doing a yoga teacher training is a huge investment -- both financially and in terms of your time. It can be a wonderfully transformative experience, but it's worth doing your research and thinking about what is going to best meet your needs. Jason and I talk about:* Whether you should stick with a local teacher or travel to do a training with a well-known teacher (his answer might surprise you).* Considerations in terms of format -- monthlong intensive? two week modules? six months of weekends?* How vital it is to continue your education even after completing a foundational 200-hour training* Are there different things to consider if you just want to deepen your practice vs. wanting to teach?* Plus, we talk about what types of information and skills an advanced 300-hour training can provide.Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode18/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week my guest is Ayurvedic practitioner Niika Quistgard. Niika is an internationally-recognized consultant, trainer and practitioner in Ayurveda and is the founder of AyurMama.com.For this episode, Niika offers specific self-care ideas for staying calm and grounded when we go out of balance. Whether you've never heard the words vata dosha uttered or you already know your prakruti, this episode offers enough background about Ayurveda paired with creative self care ideas and reminders that it will be helpful to everyone. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode17/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest this week is Katherine Priore Ghannam. Katherine is the founder of Headstand, a nonprofit organization that teaches yoga and mindfulness to kids attending low income schools. Headstand is a program that is integrated into the school's curriculum and a large part of its focus is to help children combat "toxic stress." Here's a summary of what we talk about on the episode:* The definition of toxic stress and how it can inhibit a child's ability to learn.* Learning to see a child's behavior as their way of communicating their needs, difficulties, and emotions. * The importance of adult self-regulation when teaching children.* The changes she sees in students from the beginning of the year to the end.* How yoga and mindfulness have helped create cultures of compassion in the schools that Headstand serves.* How the job has fueled Katherine's optimism* Katherine's desire to see social/emotional learning and mindfulness integrated into schools everywhere. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode16/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode I interview chef and nutritionist Rebecca Katz. Weeding through information about food can be overwhelming and even disheartening. This episode distills Rebecca's four-pillar approach to a cancer-fighting diet. And, if you take this approach, you have a shot at preventing other diseases, too (think diabetes and heart disease). On the episode we talk about:* Rebecca's background as a chef and nutritionist and how she came to write The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen* Her new online course, which brings the book to life* Anti-inflammatory foods, especially the ones we overlook like ghee! olive oil! ah-voh-cah-dohs!!* Foods that regulate blood sugar and why they work the way they do* Her recommended subs for refined sugar and why it's important to have sweet treats sometimes* Coffee. It ain't so bad. (Yahoo!)* How to reduce oxidative stress* The little tiny foods we often overlook that can powerfully regulate NfKappaBShownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode15/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Jason Crandell talks all about home practice. We get straight to the point and talk about:* Where to start if you don't know how to practice on your own* Why it's vital for yoga teachers to have a consistent home practice* How your relationship to yoga practice changes when you become a yoga teacher* His thoughts on pushing yourself to practice your least favorite poses* The ways that your home practice can transform over time to support you in different phases of life and teaching.Jason offers more than 20 comprehensive, illustrated sequences on our blog to inspire your home practice. Go to the shownotes page at jasonyoga.com/episode14 for the whole list.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on this episode is London-based teacher, Claire Missingham. Claire has over 16 years teaching experience and and runs a successful yoga teacher training program having trained over 125 teachers in the UK in the past few years. She is a Senior Teacher at triyoga, Europe's leading yoga studio and teaches worldwide. Claire is also a triathlete, competing regularly in Sprint Distance Triathlons after learning how to swim and cycle only in the past couple of years since turning 40!Claire is thoughtful, funny, and a devoted mom and she has a fascinating life story that led her to yoga — from her family’s practice of Sufism to her years leading a professional dance company, we piece it all together and talk about:* Her spiritual childhood and the effect it had on her* The importance of modeling self care and practice time for your children and family* Her creating magic workshop (which I wish I could take!) and some of her ideas for carving out creative time* Creating monthly themes for classes...Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chrissy Carter is an alignment-based flow teacher who teaches in New York City. She's been teaching for YogaWorks for 10 years and has 25 teacher trainings under her belt! Yes, 25. You read that correctly. Given that, and given the attentive, caring way Chrissy has about her, we talked about:* Her former job as a Wall Street trader * Why she loves a great Iyengar Yoga class and how it helps her see things with fresh eyes* Why it's important for teachers to study Iyengar (even if you're not an Iyengar teacher)* What it feels like to be an experienced yoga teacher vs. being a newbie* How cooking is her yoga put into practice* Her feelings about whether or not students and teachers should be friendsShownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode12/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Often when we hit a plateau in our life, we feel like we're failing -- we're not progressing or growing. On this episode, I'm share the reasons I think that hitting a plateau in yoga is positive and can lead to inner growth. A plateau is not a reason to give up or walk away. This episode offers ideas for making a plateau an opportunity to do some deep work, to practice compassion and gratitude -- which will have a positive ripple effect on your life.Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode11/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the cusp of opening her own brand new studio, LoveStory, in San Francisco, Stephanie Snyder and I chat about the happiness that comes from serving your local community, how she incorporates yoga philosophy into her daily classes and the beautiful, essential combo that is yoga + motherhood. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode10/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you have a body and you do yoga, chances are you will sustain an injury at some point. On this episode I ask Jason all about injuries. We talk about:* How to discern between stretching sensations and pain that's injurious* The benefit of pushing to your edge on the yoga mat* Whether or not hands-on adjustments are really necessary in the yoga room* How Jason addresses students' injuries before class.* Why Jason doesn't say that he teaches "therapeutic yoga"Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode9/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I talk to Alexandria Crow, one of the most physically adept yoga practitioners I've ever personally known and yet here's what she wants you to know: Yoga is not one-size-fits-all and doing fancy poses doesn't really matter. Alex is a straightforward, no BS advocate of learn what works for your body and your mind so that you can get the benefits you need from this practice. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode8/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warm and bendy with an infectious charm, Taylor Harkness is a young millenial with a wise and heartful approach to yoga. We discuss how yoga helped him find balance after the intensity and trauma of being paramedic, how he built his social media following to 35K followers (and how he's since changed his approach), what he thinks his generation will contribute to the future of yoga, and more. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode8/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kathryn Budig is an internationally celebrated yoga teacher and author known for her accessibility, humor, and ability to empower her students through her message, “aim true.” She is a warrior for self-acceptance, honesty, and helping her students and readers find true balance. I've known Kathryn for about a decade and she's the real deal -- a gem in the yoga world. She's hard-working, a deeply knowledgeable and adept teacher and practitioner, a compassionate friend, and a creative, funny soul. In the course of our talk she shared:* The story behind her "Aim True" message* The surprising pose that was out reach for her when she started practicing* Thoughts on body dysmorphia and creating healthier body image within the yoga community * The importance of honing your craft instead of focusing on popularity* Her favorite and least favorite yoga poses* The challenges she has with her own practiceShownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode6/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A five-minute episode that explains my intention behind the podcast -- and why it's vital that we focus on self-acceptance rather than self-achievement in yoga.Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode5/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sally Kempton spent twenty years as a teaching monk in the Saraswati lineage and yet she is keenly in touch with the problems that everyday people face. On this episode, Sally and I talk about using yoga and meditation to help you cope with fear. She offers practical, helpful ideas and self-inquiry practices for working with and moving through fear so that you can reach resolution and not be at the mercy of your small (and big) fears and anxieties.Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode4/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jason Crandell (aka my hubby) and I get down to brass tacks and talk about what it takes to make it as a yoga teacher. We also discuss the concept of "yogalebrity," how to navigate social media as a yoga teacher, and more. A nerdy convo. for yoga teachers and students alike.Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode3/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Stacy Meyrowitz shares her uplifting story of how yoga helped her piece her life back together after a brain hemorrhage. She credits yoga with everything from bringing her out of a deep depression, to relearning right and left, to building a new community of friends. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode2/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An uplifting yoga story for Earth Day! I talked to well-known yoga teacher and environmental activist Amy Ippoliti about her project to raise awareness for marine life. She shares what it was like doing yoga with whale sharks, manta rays, and dolphins and how her yoga practice supported her. Plus, we talk about her soon-to-be-released book, “The Art and Practice of Teaching Yoga: The Yoga Professional’s Guide to a Fulfilling Career” and ideas for helping young girls maintain healthy self-esteem. For a peek at the gorgeous photos of Amy practicing yoga with sea life, go to the shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode1/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.